Phenix City public transit system gears up for summer travel

The Phenix City Express, or PEX, takes folks to all incorporated parts of Phenix City. The fleet of eight gasoline and diesel buses makes 30 stops along a fixed north and south route.

"It goes as far north as the Phenix City Wal-Mart and as far south as the Chattahoochee Valley Community College," explains Sanford Downs, Transit Director for Lee-Russell Council of Governments.

For $1, those who otherwise wouldn't be able to get around can get from point A to point B within the city - one route even connecting with a METRA bus from across the bridge.

"One of them actually goes into Columbus and stops every hour on 2nd Street," Downs adds.

Downs says this happens Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's a system he tells us has been around since 1993 and was founded by the leaders of Phenix City and the city foots the bill.

"All of our operating cost, right now, is completely coved by the city of Phenix City," says Downs.

The program has a price tag of approximately $200,000. According to Downs, the program also caters to those with disabilities who are unable to make it to the bus stops. It's in part with the American Disabilities Act called the para transit route. Both programs Downs says are proof that the people are the priority in Phenix City.

"Very few cities the size of Phenix City have as good of system as what Phenix City has been able to provide," Downs tells News Leader 9.

The PEX fare is $1 for adults, 50 cents per ride for senior citizens with medicaid card and the disabled and 75 cents for children 5 to 17 years old. Kids under the age of 5 ride for free.